Reflections of 1968 is a series of concerts reflecting on the social, political, historical, artistic and musical aspects of one of the most tumultuous years in American History. Musical and literary artists will look at 1968 through the words and music of the time and reflect on the influence and legacy that
resulted from the immense creativity of that time. John Bacon, composer and percussionist, is a member of some of the most prominent Jazz groups in Western New York including Star People, The Buffalo Jazz Octet and the Bobby Militello Quartet. He is a music educator at UB, Villa Maria College and SUNY Fredonia. He has been honored as a composer through the New York State Foundation for the Arts (2013 Artist Fellow) and the New York State Council on the Arts (Individual Artist Composer Commission).

Bringing together these various activities Bacon has curated a series that asks musicians and literary artists to reflect on the impact of 1968 on the present. The artists will attempt to answer questions to the current era of social and political turbulence. How have we’ve honored the struggles and achievements of 1968? Has the promise of 1968 been fulfilled? What does the legacy of 1968 mean today? Can we find answers for our current difficulties in the efforts and achievements of 1968?

The Buffalo Jazz Octet has performed since 2011, combining the power and compositional intricacy of a large ensemble with the flexibility and dynamism of a small improvising combo. The octet collaborated with saxophone legend Joe Ford (of various McCoy Tyner bands) in 2015, and the band’s members have worked individually with such internationally noted musicians as Buddy Morrow, Bruce Johnstone, Paul Smoker, Paul Bley, and William Parker. PausaLive, the group’s debut album, came out on Cadence Jazz Records in April 2017. The octet has appeared at the 2014 and 2015 Queen City Jazz Festivals, Villa Maria College, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, and Pausa Art House.